WASHINGTON, April 6, 2015 — (PRNewswire) — The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $27.8 billion for the month of February 2015, an increase of 6.7 percent from February 2014 when sales were $26.0 billion. Global sales from February 2015 were 2.7 percent lower than the January 2015 total of $28.5 billion, reflecting seasonal trends. Regionally, sales in the Americas increased by 17.1 percent compared to last February to lead all regional markets. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the
World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

"The global semiconductor industry maintained momentum in February, posting its 22nd straight month of year-to-year growth despite macroeconomic headwinds," said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. "Sales of DRAM and Analog products were particularly strong, notching double-digit growth over last February, and the Americas market achieved its largest year-to-year sales increase in 12 months."

"While we are encouraged by the semiconductor market's sustained growth over the last two years, a key driver of our industry's continued success is free trade," Neuffer continued. "A legislative initiative called
Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) has paved the way for opening markets to American goods and services for decades, helping to give life to nearly every U.S. free trade agreement in existence, but it expired in 2007. With several important free trade agreements currently under negotiation, Congress should swiftly re-enact TPA."